GB News faces being slapped with a statuatory fine after a programme featuring Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was found to breach Ofcom impartiality rules. Ofcom is “starting the process for consideration of a statutory sanction against GB News” following the release of the programme in February. People’s Forum: The Prime Minister was found to have broken impariality rules on Monday (20 May).
The show, which saw Mr Sunak answer questions from the audience during a live hour-long programme, was presented in the context of the upcoming general election. Ofcom said: “Given this represents a serious and repeated breach of these rules, we are now starting the process for consideration of a statutory sanction against GB News .” The broadcasting regulator said that the show prompted 547 complaints.
It said there was “no issue with this programme’s editorial format in principle”, but the broadcaster failed to “ensure an appropriately wide range of significant views was given” to ensure political impartiality. The media watchdog also said: “We recognised that this programme would focus mainly on the Conservative Party’s policies and track record on a number of specific issues, meaning that Conservative viewpoints would be prevalent. “We are clear that this, in and of itself, did not mean the programme could not comply with due impartiality rules under the code.
“It was incumbent on GB News, however, given the major matters under discussion, to ensure that an ap.
